Barca vs Elche: Match Preview

After a frustrating night in Munich, Barcelona returns home to close the first phase of the season at the Camp Nou, against a struggling Elche side. After the game, club football will be paused for two weeks, meanwhile, international games take the center stage.

Barca vs Elche: Match Preview

Match Details:

Date: Saturday, September 17th, 2022

Competition: La Liga

Match Day: 07

Venue: Camp Nou

Time: 04:15 pm Central European Time (Barcelona)

How to watch online: ESPN+ (USA), Premier Player (UK), Movistar+ (Spain)

Match Overview:

The Ilicitans started the season in a forgettable fashion as they are currently sitting in last place on the league table, having earned just 1 point in 5 games so far. In plus, they have the worst expected goal difference, which does not vision an optimistic future for Francisco Rodríguez’s team.

Indeed, their results so far may not reflect their true ability as their 4 losses came against Betis, Sociedad, Villarreal, and Bilbao, which are all good teams. In fact, their only point came against the newly promoted Almería, a team fighting for similar goals, a direct rival in the battle for survival.

Nevertheless, it’s safe to say this team is one of the weakest ones in the league since their promotion in 2020, which is always just around the elimination line. In the past 2 seasons, they have been lucky to stay clear of the relegation zone due to a constant overperformance, mostly thanks to the effectivity of their forwards like Lucas Boyé, Pere Milla, and Fidel along with the class of Édgar Badía in the goal.

However, this kind of overperformance is impossible to sustain, especially for a team like this. It was great while it lasted, but finally, the miraculous fairytale of Los Franjiverdes seems to come to an end, and the shadow of the dropout is inevitably getting real.

Moreover, Elche have lost one of their most important player in Johan Mojica to Villarreal, and the likes of Darío Benedetto and Lucas Pérez had left the club as well. On the other side, they have also made a couple of transfers and swooped in the likes of Olaza, Roger, Lirola, and our young loanee, Álex Collado.

Even with these transfers, Elche’s future doesn’t look good, and the fact that they are meeting Barcelona doesn’t help either. Despite the bitter defeat against Bayern, the Blaugrana showed a clear sign that they are capable to compete even against teams of such caliber.

Subsequent to the failure of the midweek clash, the players won’t be in lack of motivation, and will surely look to end their impressive run of form with a victory before the international break. Also, changes may be made compared to the starting XI against Bayern, giving opportunities to the (mainly) reserve players.

Nonetheless, unless some kind of miracle happens, Barcelona must keep these 3 points at home. Of course, no opponent should be taken lightly, and we should take this challenge – along with every other one, no matter how easy it might seem – with maximum focus, and end our September run on a high note in front of the culé faithful.

Potential Line up:

Fc Barcelona:

Formation: 4-3-3

Goal Keeper: Ter Stagen

Defenders: Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Balde

Midfielders: Pedri, Busquets, Gavi

Forwards: Fati, Lewandowski, Dembele

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

The Latest

Messi will play his last match with PSG against Clermont, confirms Christophe Galtier

The tumultuous and rocky relationship of Lionel Messi with PSG finally comes to an end. After endless murmurs about a possible reunion with his...

Newcastle United plotting summer swoop for 21-year-old Barcelona, Real Madrid target

Spanish football continues to give birth to talented young midfielders. Celta de Vigo’s academy has produced an array of sublime footballers over the years,...

Highly rated Barcelona talent being persuaded for a move to the Premier League

FC Barcelona need to finalize the sales of a number of players in the upcoming transfer window to meet their financial and sporting objectives...

Villareal emerging as the next loan destination for Barcelona youngster

With the summer transfer window looming closer and closer, FC Barcelona executives are working to ensure the club meets its objectives set for this...

Barcelona set themselves a deadline for completing incoming player transfers

The 2023 summer transfer window is set to commence in a few weeks and FC Barcelona executives have their hands full for the upcoming...

Barcelona, Real Madrid target set to sign contract renewal with club – Romero

Despite winning La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup this season, FC Barcelona still have a number of weaknesses in their squad that they...

Barcelona youngster breaks silence on his recent injury

Barcelona have ended the 2022/2023 season on a massive high by winning La Liga Santander and having concluded it as winners of the Spanish...

Barcelona aim to further strengthen their defense – report

FC Barcelona have gone from being regarded as a leaky team in the defensive third to now boasting of an elite back-line. The 27th...

Return of Messi to Barcelona now conditional on one departure – report

Indulged in a race against time, FC Barcelona are fiercely battling the clock in order to present Lionel Messi the concretized offer his camp...